India’s military might and cultural diversity was at full display at the historic Rajpath in New Delhi as the country celebrated its 68th Republic Day today to honour the Constitution that came into force the same day in 1950.
UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan was the chief guest at the event.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- With 21-gun salute, the spectacular Republic Day parade concludes at Rajpath.
- IAF’s trusted Sukhoi Su30 MKI aircraft flies across Rajpath at 900km per hour.
- 5 Jaguars of the IAF zoom past Rajpath in spectacular formation.
- Light Combat Aircraft Tejas makes its Republic Day debut flying above the Rajpath in ‘Vic’ formation at 780 km per hour.
- C-17 Globemaster and two Sukhoi fighter jets flypast above Rajpath.
- Magnificent scenes over Rajpath sky. Indian Air Force choppers, planes participate in flypast.
- The crowd in complete awe of motorcycle-borne daredevils from different contingents of the armed forces.
- 21 of the 25 children selected for the National Bravery Award-2016 received with massive applause at Rajpath.
25 children including 12 girls and 13 boys, selected for #NationalBraveryAwards 2016, at #RepublicDayParade#HappyRepublicDay
- Haryana’s tableau is themed on Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign. The state of Haryana is heading this campaign.
- The Maharashtra tableau has a huge cutout of freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak
- National Security Guard contingent does a ‘jogging past’ at Rajpath. This is for the first time that NSG commandos participated in the Republic Day celebrations at Rajpath.
NSG commandos at the #RepublicDay#parade
- Indian Navy’s tableau themed ‘Indian Navy – Professional Force-Anchoring Stability, Security and National Prosperity’ – showcases the lethal Marine Commandos proceeding for action, the indigenously built Kolkata Class Destroyer and the Kalvari Class next generation attack submarines. The tableau also displays a model of the P-8I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft.Ashok Chakra(Posthumous) for Havildar Hangpan Dada.Award is received by his wife Chasen Lowang Dada.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi at #RepublicDay parade at Rajpath
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Ashok Chakra(Posthumous) for Havildar Hangpan Dada.Award is received by his wife Chasen Lowang Dada. #RepublicDay
- A contingent of the United Arab Emirates’ forces takes part in the parade.
- Colourful BSF Camel Regiment led by Deputy Commandant Kuldeep Seervi takes part in Republic Day parade.
- Ashok Chakra for Havaldar Hangpan Dada, who killed three terrorist in Jammu and Kashmir.
Tricolour unfurled at Rajpath #RepublicDay
PM Modi arrives at Rajpath, meets CJI Khehar #RepublicDay
- PM Narendra Modi lays wreath at Amar Jawan Jyoti, India Gate on the occasion of 68th Republic Day.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar arrives at Rajpath #RepublicDay
President Pranab Mukherjee leaves for Rajpath #RepublicDay
- The parade will also see the fly-past of three LCA Tejas Aircraft flying at a height of 300 m from ground in ‘Vic’ formation and the Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&C) developed by DRDO.
- This year the Indian Navy’s tableau will have the theme ‘Indian Navy – Professional Force-Anchoring Stability, Security and National Prosperity’.
The national capital was wrapped in an unprecedented security cover with thousands of security force personnel keeping a hawk-eye vigil to ward off any terror strike or untoward incident during the 68th Republic Day celebrations. Over 50,000 security personnel were deployed across Delhi to prevent any untoward incident.
Mobile hit teams, anti-aircraft guns and sharpshooters were deployed to keep a watch on the eight-km-long parade route from Rajpath to Red Fort besides nearby localities.
There were intelligence inputs that terror groups may try to carry out attacks. Delhi Police was sent a special advisory informing them that terror groups might use animals to target crowded areas like important installations, railway stations to create a panic.